DETROIT – A SkyWest flight en route from Omaha to Detroit was forced to make an emergency landing in Cedar Rapids, Iowa after a male passenger became disruptive mid-flight, according to authorities.
The incident happened around 6:13 p.m., when Cedar Rapids Police responded to a disturbance reported aboard the plane. Once the aircraft landed at Eastern Iowa Airport, officers boarded the flight and arrested the suspect without incident.
Suspect Identified and Charged
The passenger was later identified as 23-year-old Mario Nikprelaj, a Nebraska resident, who was taken to the Linn County Correctional Center shortly after his arrest.
As of now, Nikprelaj faces multiple charges, including:
- Disorderly Conduct
- Assault
- Possession of Prescription Medication
- Failure to Affix Drug Tax Stamp
- Harassment in the First Degree
Investigators say additional charges may be filed, as the case remains under active review by local and federal authorities.
No Injuries Reported, Flight Continued Later
There were no reported injuries to passengers or crew members during the incident. The flight was temporarily grounded in Cedar Rapids while the investigation was handled, and passengers were later rebooked or continued their travel.
SkyWest Airlines has not yet released a formal statement regarding the event, but the matter has drawn renewed attention to in-flight passenger behavior and airline protocol.
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